Commissioned directly by Contiki, this project involved documenting a seven-day winter trip through three of Europe's most iconic cities — Amsterdam, Venice, and Munich — travelling alongside a genuine group of Contiki travellers rather than hired models.

The approach was deliberately documentary in nature — capturing authentic moments as they unfolded across the trip rather than directing or staging scenes. From canal-side mornings in Amsterdam to Christmas market evenings in Munich and winter light on the Venice lagoon, the brief was to produce imagery that feels genuinely real — the kind of travel photography that makes you want to book a trip rather than simply admire a photograph.

Working in fast-moving, unpredictable environments across multiple cities, alongside a videographer and a group of real travellers, requires a particular kind of photographic instinct — the ability to anticipate moments, move quickly, and find compelling images within the natural flow of a trip rather than constructing them from scratch.

This project is representative of the travel photography and documentary lifestyle photography David regularly produces for travel brands, tour operators, and lifestyle companies — from single-destination campaigns to multi-city productions across Europe and beyond.

Photography by David McConaghy

Venice

Amsterdam

 Munich